Massey Ferguson is strengthening its position in west Somerset and north Devon with the appointment of Compass Tractors for sales and aftersales support for its tractors, combine harvesters and full range of equipment. With this move the Barnstaple, north Devon-based dealer Bernard Hancock Agricultural Engineers, will continue to represent the Massey Ferguson brand for Compass Tractors.
David Sleath, AGCO’s Director Sales UK and Ireland, says the dealership changes are a positive move for Massey Ferguson customers in the region, who will benefit from even better support.
"This appointment is part of a new AGCO strategy in the UK, which is going to see some fairly radical changes as we reduce our total number of AGCO dealers by about 25%-30%. We need strong, profitable dealers that are able to provide customers with top quality service and support. To do that they will have larger areas that will enable them to invest in their businesses and benefit from higher sales of the whole range of equipment, which includes tractors, combines and a wide range of machinery.
Compass Tractors is a strong, progressive and growing company, adds Mr Sleath. "It is already the second largest Fendt dealer in the country. The business is very well managed and committed to providing excellent customer service. It is further demonstrating this commitment by investing in completely new, purpose-built premises, which will provide first class representation for Massey Ferguson and Fendt products in the area," he adds.
Justin Nichols, Compass Tractors’ Managing Director says he is delighted with the new appointment, which complements the existing Fendt franchise. "The Massey Ferguson range is a perfect match for our business, which provides access to a new sector of the market we were not in before and enables us to offer our customers a wider, full range of equipment," he explains.
"We are investing more than £1 million in new, purpose-built premises at ’Junction 24’, Sedgemoor rural business centre just off the M5 at Bridgwater. We have bought a 1.5 acre site and are building a 10,000ft² workshop, showroom and offices, to which all our existing staff will be relocating and we expect to be moving in this coming February.
"Quality service is already a high priority at Compass Tractors. We employ a number of highly trained and skilled technicians to service and maintain our existing equipment lines. But that work is highly seasonal, so the whole range of Massey Ferguson machinery will spread the workload and allow us to not only use their time more effectively, but also recruit three of four new members of staff," he explains.
For Bernard Hancock Agricultural Engineers, in Barnstaple, north Devon, it will be ’business as usual’ as it retains the Massey Ferguson franchise through Compass Tractors. "Customers will continue to receive the same high level of local parts and service support, but also now gain the benefits from working with a larger company," says the firm’s Barry Hancock.
"Customers are unlikely to notice any difference because we are still in direct contact with the AGCO head office for parts, service and AGCO Finance. In fact now with the support of Compass Tractors we expect to be able to provide even better service," he adds.
